The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion

Surviving and Thriving in Ministry

Melissa Lynn DeRosia; Marianne J. Grano; Amy Morgan and Amanda Adams Riley

As increasing numbers of young women are discerning a call to ministry, entering seminary, graduating, and searching for the call to a parish or other ministry setting, they need to be aware of the realities that face them. The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion is about the nitty gritty of ministry for young female clergy—how to maintain a sense of personal style, what it's really like to be a solo pastor, how to date, what to do when they're ready to quit. The authors met in 2008 at a gathering of young women who serve as pastors. Since then, they have been meeting monthly to develop a 'young girlfriends network' and to support one another in their ministries. In their conversations, they heard one another talking about what they wished they had known before beginning ministry. Those yearnings gave rise to this book. The authors discuss the call process and the ministry situations in which young women most commonly find themselves serving as a solo pastor and as an associate. Additional chapters explore personal style, the single life, relationships, children, and self-care, as well as challenges pastors, particularly new pastors, often face. Each chapter ends with 'The Girlfriends' Checklist,' a summary of strategies to help young women be happier and more effective ministers.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Alban Books

Pages: 166 •

978-1-56699-653-2 • eBook • August 2011 • $20.33 • (£15.99)

Subjects: Religion / Clergy

The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion

Surviving and Thriving in Ministry

eBook

Summary

As increasing numbers of young women are discerning a call to ministry, entering seminary, graduating, and searching for the call to a parish or other ministry setting, they need to be aware of the realities that face them. The Girlfriends' Clergy Companion is about the nitty gritty of ministry for young female clergy—how to maintain a sense of personal style, what it's really like to be a solo pastor, how to date, what to do when they're ready to quit. The authors met in 2008 at a gathering of young women who serve as pastors. Since then, they have been meeting monthly to develop a 'young girlfriends network' and to support one another in their ministries. In their conversations, they heard one another talking about what they wished they had known before beginning ministry. Those yearnings gave rise to this book. The authors discuss the call process and the ministry situations in which young women most commonly find themselves serving as a solo pastor and as an associate. Additional chapters explore personal style, the single life, relationships, children, and self-care, as well as challenges pastors, particularly new pastors, often face. Each chapter ends with 'The Girlfriends' Checklist,' a summary of strategies to help young women be happier and more effective ministers.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Alban Books

Pages: 166 •

978-1-56699-653-2 • eBook • August 2011 • $20.33 • (£15.99)

Subjects: Religion / Clergy

Author

Melissa Lynn DeRosia is pastor of Gates Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York. Marianne J. Grano is associate pastor of University Presbyterian Church, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Amy Morgan is associate pastor and director of youth ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Michigan. Amanda Adams Riley is parish associate at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

Clergywomen, as some have put it, face an uphill climb in ministry. They face twists and turns on their journey often different from ones faced by their male counterparts. In this book, however, they have an extremely helpful guide written by four travel companions, young clergywomen themselves, who share what they are learning along the way. Written in an engaging style, the chapters address very real, practical issues that young clergywomen face. It should be required reading for women seminarians—young or old—as they prepare to enter parish ministry.
— Jackson W. Carroll, Williams Professor Emeritus of Religion and Society, Duke Divinity School

Finally ... a voice crying out of the wilderness in support of the sisters. Packed full of real-world stories and practical advice, this book feels like a late night dinner party with your girlfriends where you leave feeling uplifted, affirmed, and a little less alone.
— Susan Sparks, Senior Pastor, Madison Avenue Baptist Church, NYC and author of "Laugh Your Way to Grace"

This book is an evocative affirmation of the difference gender and friendship make to the practice of ministry. The authors bear witness to the possibilities and promise of ministry without trivializing the difficulties and discouragement. The entire book is a reminder to all pastors—gender aside—of why friendship is utterly indispensable to navigating life in the parish with style and grace.
— David J. Wood, Senior Minister, Glencoe Union Church